ARLINGTON, TEXAS - Eastern Kentucky University linebacker
Kaden Smith headlined the accolades for the Colonels at the United Athletic Conference Football Kickoff in Arlington on Tuesday, being named the league's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Smith joined three other Colonels in running back
Brayden Latham, defensive back
Derek Taylor, and long snapper
Quaid Luginbill as Preseason All-Conference selections while EKU was picked to finish fourth as a team in the UAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
A junior from Campbellsville, Ky., Smith earns the preseason honor after being the conference's lone representative on the 2026 Buch Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List for best defensive player in all of Division I FCS college football last week.
In 2025, Smith was an anchor for the EKU defense, recording 77 total tackles, with 37 solo efforts, 4.5 tackles for loss, a pick-six, and one fumble recovery.
His 16-yard pick-six came in a winning effort against Nicholls, adding eight total tackles in the win on his way to earning UAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Defensive teammate
Derek Taylor gets the preseason all-conference nod after his 2025 campaign saw him earn Third Team All-UAC honors from Phil Steele with 78 tackles, 42 solo tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception against Central Arkansas, and a 75-yard scoop-and-score against Houston Christian.
Latham's selection marks the second straight year for the senior running back after being a unanimous selection ahead of the 2025 season.
A Third Team All-UAC selection by Phil Steele a season ago, Latham started all 12 games, rushing for 667 yards on 154 attempts for an average of 4.3 yards per carry with three touchdowns on the ground.
He ended the year with a career-high 113 rushing yards in a season finale victory over Utah Tech.
Luginbill earns the first preseason all-conference selection of his career at long snapper after playing in all 12 games last season, handling all snapping on field goals 15-18) and PATs (26-26).
EKU will now turn to fall camp and its season opener on Saturday, August 29 at Western Carolina.
